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Partnerships with Results: Understanding what makes a Good Community Benefit Organization. Don R. Simmons, Ph.D. www.creativepotentialconsulting.org. Download this presentation at. www.creativepotentialconsulting.org. Partnerships are good. They multiply the reach of your church
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Partnerships with Results: Understanding what makes a Good Community Benefit Organization Don R. Simmons, Ph.D. www.creativepotentialconsulting.org
Download this presentation at • www.creativepotentialconsulting.org
Partnerships are good • They multiply the reach of your church • They provide opportunities that the Church could/should not do alone • They provide good stewardship of resources • They expose people to needs in the community • They position the Church as a serving organization
Not all partnerships are healthy • They place the resources of the Church at risk (people and $) • They endanger the credibility and reputation of the Church and its mission • They may be unequal in responsibility and accountability • They may damage capacity by creating dependency • They may not yield measurable results • They may not be sustainable
What a church should seek in a healthy partnership • Is the Organization Legal? • Minimal • 501(C)3 Designation Letter
What a church should seek in a healthy partnership • Is the Organization Legal? • Minimal • 501(C)3 Designation Letter • Recently reviewed By-laws • Functioning Board of Directors • Financially Viable
Vet and verify • Check out the organization of Guidestar • www.guidestar.org • Better Business Bureau • State Attorney General • United Way • Optimal • Webpage • 501(C)3 designation letter, EIN • Annual Report • Recent IRS form 990 • Board of Directors List • Names, address, professions • Recent board meeting minutes • Recently Audited Financial Statement (RAFS)
Is the organization Financially viable? • RAFS • At least 50% of income derived LOCALLY • Reasonable “mix “ of income sources
Giving USA Foundation • The Center on Philanthropy at University of Indiana
Is the organization Financially viable? • RAFS • At least 50% of income derived LOCALLY • Reasonable “mix “ of income sources • Do their fundraising practices conform to the AFP Code of Ethics?
Is the organization Financially viable? • RAFS • At least 50% of income derived LOCALLY • Reasonable “mix “ of income sources • Do their fundraising practices conform to the AFP Code of Ethics? • Do they provide their funders with the “Donor Bill of Rights”?
Is the organization Financially viable? • RAFS • At least 50% of income derived LOCALLY • Reasonable “mix “ of income sources • Do their fundraising practices conform to the AFP Code of Ethics? • Do they provide their funders with the “Donor Bill of Rights”?
Is the organization functional? • Do they possess a Strategic Plan? • Is your Partnership in it? • Does the organization employ ethical professional/credentialed leaders? • Are they doing what their MISSION and VISION statements say they are doing? • Is there REAL EVIDENCE of their service? • Can you identify satisfied clients? • Do they have a MEASURABLE impact? • Can they prove it?
Is the organization volunteer friendly? • Do they have credentialed leadership? • CVA • CVHA • CAN • Do they have a designated person on staff (paid or unpaid) responsible for Volunteer success? • Does the organization provide TAFERR for all unpaid staff? • Do they work with the Church to ensure that TAFERR is in place for each person? • Do they TRACK* volunteer involvement? • Do they provide your church with their tracking documents?
Tracking, recording, reporting • * Does your church Database enable you to identify WHO is serving WHERE and WHEN, doing WHAT at any given time?
Is the organization safe? • Do they provide LIABILITY insurance for persons volunteering with their organization? • Is it adequate for the number of persons serving? • Do they have DIRECTORS’ and OFFICERS’ insurance in force? • Is there a documented agreement on liability?
safety • Does the organization provide SEXUAL HARASSMENT training on a consistent basis? • Have all PAID staff of the organization been subject to BACKGROUND checks, screening and Sexual Harassment training? • Does the organization have specific training and policies regarding safety and “due care” for “vulnerable populations”, • i.e., Persons under 18, persons over 65, persons w/ disabilities, persons w/ substance abuse issues?
safety • Does the organization provide enough STAFF to provide adequate SAFETY training and OVERSIGHT? • Does the organization have an established “non-discrimination” policy in place? Will your church need to adhere to the policy? • Does the organization adhere to ADA Guidelines? • Does the organization value diversity? Does it possess a “Diversity Statement”?
GOOD BETTER BEST
Closing Thoughts • For the safety of your church and the credibility of the Mission, ASK QUESTIONS and EXPECT Documented Responses! • Select a FEW strategic partners rather than multiple partners that are not fully vetted. • If your church views a particular organization as a STRATEGIC POTENTIAL Partnership, work with the Organizational Leadership to MOVE them toward meeting YOUR Criteria. • Be a “capacity-builder” Church.